With plenty of bed sheet materials to choose from, shopping for a new set should feel less like a daunting task and more like an exciting opportunity to find exactly what you want. Whether you run warm or cool, prefer crisp or silky, our guide breaks down the best sheet materials so you can choose the right one to meet your sleeping needs.

In this guide:

Best Sheet Materials
Cotton
Linen
Microfiber
Silk & Satin
Rayon
TENCEL

Best Materials for Sheets

Choosing the best sheet material is based on your personal preferences and sleeping style. Factors like softness, breathability, and maintenance are things you should keep in mind while shopping for sheets. To find out more about the right kind of sheet for your sleeping type, read our guide: Your Guide to the Best Sheets for Sleepers of All Kinds.

Asking yourself questions can help you determine which priorities you should look for. Do you tend to “sleep hot” or “sleep cold”? Do you live in a cool or warm climate? Will you be using the sheets in your own bedroom or outfitting a guest bed? Do you want a low-maintenance sheet set that you can toss into the washing machine?

Cotton

Cotton is the most commonly used fiber in sheets. There are a large range of options to choose from, each with its own pros and cons. Not all cotton is created equal, and with many variations available, understanding the properties of different cotton materials will help you choose the best sheet material for your needs.

Cotton: A classic sheet material, cotton is a default fabric for many reasons. It is easy to care for, moisture-wicking, and breathable. When it comes to cotton, there are several types available, some of which refer to the origin of the cotton fibers (e.g., Egyptian cotton), while others refer to the style of weave or methods of treating the fabric (e.g., sateen). They are some of the best sheets to buy as there are options available for every budget, style, and size.

Pima Cotton: Similar to Egyptian cotton sheets, pima cotton is made of a long-staple fiber that is high quality, ultra-soft, durable, and breathable, though it does have a natural sheen. Pima cotton is mostly grown in the southwestern part of the USA, as it has a desert climate that is similar to Egypt's. Pima cotton has a higher quality than standard cotton but a lower quality than Egyptian cotton. It also has a more budget-friendly price tag.

Supima Cotton: Supima cotton is created from extra-long-staple fibers that are exceptionally luxurious. These bed sheets are rich in texture and feel soft and smooth, providing superior year-round comfort that is ideal for all types of sleepers. Supima is a trademarked name for a pima cotton that is held to extremely high quality and purity standards. To be classed as Supima cotton, the extra-long fibers can only be grown in the USA. Unlike Egyptian cotton, which only refers to the sheets' place of origin, this label guarantees that it is made from extra-long fibers that are in turn hypoallergenic and resistant to mold and dust mites. Supima cotton has a higher price tag than regular cotton and (in some instances) Egyptian cotton sheets.

Flannel: Flannel sheets are made from cotton fibers that are finely brushed in order to pull loose the tiny top fibers. They can also be referred to as brushed cotton, as they are woven and brushed for a warm and cozy feel. The quality of flannel is measured in weight, specifically ounces per square yard. Flannel is the best sheet material for colder temperatures, and for those who get cold at night, as it is thicker and more plush which in turn works to trap body heat. Flannel sheets can also be made from wool and other materials, all of which are brushed to raise the nap and make the material denser. Though they may not be ideal for summer months, flannel bed sheets have a lower price point and often come in fun and holiday-inspired patterns and designs to match their winter seasonality.

Jersey Knit: Jersey knit cotton is woven into a soft, stretchy fabric that feels like a lived-in T-shirt. This material is made by knitting yarns rather than weaving threads like other cotton sheets, giving it a flexible and wrinkle-free finish. The looped open-thread construction also makes them breathable yet cozy. Though jersey knit sheets can be a great year-round option, choosing sheets with 100% cotton composition is best for warm sleepers that are looking for extra sweat-wicking qualities.

Linen

Linen is a natural material that is woven from fibers from the flax plant. Moisture-wicking with an airy feel, linen can start off stiff but gets softer with each wash. This is the best sheet material for those in search of a rustic look and feel. Linen features a loose-yet-durable weave that can be prone to wrinkling, but many prefer the cozy, lived-in look that linen provides. Linen sheets are breathable, which is good for retaining body heat in the cooler months and keeping you cool in the summer months.

Microfiber

Microfiber sheets are made of tightly woven synthetic fibers such as polyester or nylon. They are soft and budget-friendly, though they don't breathe as well as cotton or natural materials, making them less ideal for those who get hot at night. Microfiber is thin but strong, and its tight weave helps to prevent strains and wrinkles. It's worthwhile to note that microfiber can attract pet hair and does have a distinct texture that is not always preferable. Microfiber can pill over time, wrinkle easily, and become staticky after being washed. Its extreme durability makes microfiber the best sheet fabric for situations that will produce a lot of wear and tear, such as children's bedrooms.

Silk & Satin

Though they may fall into the same category, silk and satin sheets are quite different from one another.

Silk: Silk is woven from fibers created by silkworms. It is a soft material that is cool, durable, and naturally hypoallergenic. Silk sheets are the best luxury sheets available and do have a high price tag. These bed sheets are not measured by their thread count but rather by mommes, a measurement that is determined by how much the silk weighs. Higher momme sheets are heavier and thicker than those of a lower momme. Silk sheets don't catch on your skin, are naturally good at regulating temperature (which is good for both cold and warm months), and can prevent bed head or tangled hair because they are so soft. They do require delicate care and may need to be washed by hand, an important factor to keep in mind if you are considering silk sheets.

Satin: Satin is a type of weave that is usually composed of silk, nylon, or polyester fibers. Most commonly, satin sheets are made from synthetic fibers, using a satin weave that creates a smooth and shiny fabric. Though they are classed together and may look like silk, satin bed sheets have a more wallet-friendly price tag. They can be both warming and good at wicking away moisture, though synthetic satin can trap heat and cause your body temperature to rise, which is not always ideal in summer or for those who get hot at night. Unlike silk, satin bed sheets are slippery to the touch, a texture that is not always enjoyable for some.

Rayon

Made from bamboo fibers, rayon sheets have a soft texture and long-lasting durability. The bamboo fibers give these sheets a smooth, antimicrobial finish, while the breathable and moisture-wicking qualities make them ideal for hot sleepers. Like cotton, bamboo rayon sheets come in three weaves: percale, sateen, and twill. Each of the three weaves have a distinct feel. Percale sheets are crisp and lightweight, while sateen sheets have a smooth, silky quality. Rayon twill sheets have a ribbed texture that aids in durability and breathable, making them breathable in warm temperatures and warm in cool weather.

TENCEL

TENCEL sheets have a silky feel that is wrinkle-resistant and smooth to the touch, making them ideal for those with sensitive skin. TENCEL, also known as lyocell, is made by dissolving wood pulp in a solvent, extruding the pulp to create thin fibers, and then spinning those fibers into a yarn. The resulting fabric is durable, lightweight, and breathable. Though TENCEL sheets are highly durable, they are best machine-washed on a cold, gentle cycle since high heat can damage the fabric.

Tip!

Looking for more tips that'll help you find the right bed sheets? Read our guides:
Bed Sheet Buying Guide: How to Choose Bed Sheets
Guide to Bed Sheet Sizes

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In the end, only you know what sort of bed sheets are ideal for you. Armed with the information in this guide, you should be able to choose the best sheet material to give your bedroom a whole new look while providing a good night's sleep.